Some Majorcan friends popped round for a festive supper this week and everyone generously brought gifts. There were bottles of home brewed cava,herbes, the local herbal liqueur, brandy and red wine, a sack of walnuts, a bowl brimming with kiwis, fresh honey, homemade bread, ensaimadas, the snail shapedpastries, and jars of homemade dried tomatoes and jam. No one had bothered to dress up and why would they here in rural Majorca? In winter time life’s all about being comfortable and not standing on ceremony-and of course keeping warm. Guests drifted in between eight and nine o’clock because of course time is elastic in our golden valley and dinner is rarely served before nine-thirty at night.

Christmas trees are still an alien concept to many Majorcans

Our friends seemed bemused by the traditional Christmas tree with its twinkling lights and decorations, some of which hark back at least 20 years. They wanted to know why it was so… Read more

Christmas is by now, for most, a distant memory but there are expats all over Shanghai who are reminded of it every day. That’s because while in Christian countries Christmas decorations are removed from sight before Twelfth Night, in China, Father Christmas, his reindeer and other festive paraphernalia can tend to outstay their welcome. Although, we have just celebrated Spring Festival, there are still a few Christmas trees dotted around in central Shanghai. This tree off Nanjing Road, for example, complete with weather-worn Christmas presents, is looking well past its best.

The Christmas tree off Nanjing Road

But it doesn’t end with Christmas trees. I once visited an English language training centre. “Merry Christmas” came the greeting hanging on the wall above the company’s logo. A cheery welcome, albeit delivered in May. It didn’t exactly imbue confidence in the school’s language abilities. More offensive was the perennial Christmas decoration reading “Season’s Greetings”, in the meeting room… Read more